In the West, he established two large semi-autonomous provinces called exarchates, ruled by exarchs, or viceroys, of the emperor.

The semi-autonomous Egyptian province also ran up huge debts in the late 19th century resulting in foreign military intervention.

These would only go into effect, however, once a third document dividing the country into 10 semi-autonomous provinces is approved.

The plan calls for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be divided into 10 semi-autonomous provinces under a weak central government.

Railways and telegraph lines united the previously remote and semi-autonomous provinces.

The plan divides Bosnia into 10 semi-autonomous provinces but preserves it as an independent nation.

Mr Izetbegovic, after months of negotiating, accepted a controversial map that divided Bosnia into ten semi-autonomous provinces.

All sides have now agreed in principle to a division of Bosnian territory into semi-autonomous provinces, loosely controlled by the Sarajevo Government.

But even if this happens, the fighting is likely to continue until all sides also agree on the division of Bosnia into 10 semi-autonomous provinces.

The peace plan calls for Bosnia to be divided into 10 semi-autonomous provinces dominated by different ethnic groups.